University of Idaho Receives $579,000 for Specialty Crop Research

University of Idaho researchers secure $579,000 for specialty crop innovation

Researchers at the University of Idaho College of Agricultural and Life Sciences have been awarded $579,000 in federal grants to advance the production and stability of specialty crops across the state. The funding, distributed through the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, focuses on critical agricultural challenges ranging from potato disease management to the commercial expansion of huckleberries. According to a report from the University of Idaho, these funds are part of the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, a federal initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service to help growers remain competitive in both domestic and international markets.

The infusion of capital arrives at a time when the USDA has allocated $86.6 million to the program for fiscal year 2026. While the Idaho State Department of Agriculture awarded roughly $1.9 million across 19 different projects to various state organizations, the University of Idaho’s share represents a significant portion of the state’s research momentum. The university is currently in the process of finalizing agreements to accept these specific funds.

New biological tools for potato stability and disease control

Potato production, a cornerstone of Idaho’s agricultural economy, sits at the center of several new research initiatives. Gustavo Teixeira, an associate professor and potato postharvest physiologist, has been awarded $149,000 to investigate alternatives to the current industry standard for controlling potato sprouting. For years, the industry has relied on chlorpropham (CIPC), but Teixeira’s research will evaluate the effectiveness of sorgoleone—a bioherbicide derived from sorghum roots—as a potential replacement. The study, which includes assistance from plant sciences doctoral student Anuja Rijal, will test sorgoleone using both spray and heated fog applications.

Beyond storage issues, researchers are also targeting viral threats that can devastate yields. Kasia Duellman, an Extension specialist in seed potato pathology, received $141,000 to explore biological products designed to control potato virus Y (PVY). Current management often relies on a mix of mineral oil and insecticides, but Duellman notes that these methods have limitations.

“This is a virus that’s hard to manage,” Duellman said. “There’s no silver bullet. If you rely just on insecticide, it may make PVY worse in some years.”

Duellman’s research will specifically look at the efficacy of salicylic acid, a plant hormone that can trigger a plant’s natural defense responses against pathogens.

Optimizing irrigation for onions and beans

Water management remains a primary concern for Idaho growers, particularly regarding how moisture levels influence both plant health and economic returns. James Woodhall, an Extension specialist in plant pathology, is leading two distinct projects aimed at refining irrigation strategies.

Through an application by the Idaho Bean Commission, Woodhall and Emily Bedwell, an Extension irrigation specialist, received $80,000 to conduct trials in Kimberly and Parma. They will use advanced soil-moisture monitoring technology to see how different irrigation strategies impact the yield and quality of beans, while also tracking how these methods affect disease development. Similarly, the Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onion Committee has provided $70,000 for a project led by Woodhall to examine the relationship between irrigation and bacterial decay in onions. This study will compare drip, furrow, and overhead irrigation systems to determine which provides the best economic return based on bulb quality and yield.

The research seeks to balance the physiological needs of the crops with the necessity of disease prevention. Woodhall noted that while Idaho’s climate generally keeps disease pressure low, the plants still require precise water management to reach optimum yields.

Breaking the barriers to commercial huckleberry growth

While much of the funding targets established commodities, a $139,000 grant is being directed toward Idaho’s state fruit: the huckleberry. Despite high consumer demand and high market value, huckleberries have remained difficult to produce on a commercial scale because they are notoriously hard to transplant.

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Research associate Jenny Knerr and weed science principal researcher Joan Campbell aim to overcome this hurdle by growing huckleberry plants from small tissue samples. Their methodology involves using chemicals to double the plants’ chromosomes, a process intended to improve plant vigor, fruit production, and the ease of propagation.

“I think it’s a great opportunity to try to improve the huckleberry as a specialty crop since it’s something that’s high value and in high demand,” Knerr said.

The success of these projects could shift the huckleberry from a wild-harvested rarity to a more predictable, commercially viable specialty crop for Idaho growers.